Friday, March 21, 2014

To support Visit Malaysia Year 2014, I will be writing on various tourist attractions in the country. Let us work together to bring in tourists to our lovely Malaysia.

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It had been a long day of waiting. My enthusiasm was running thin as I watched the hot air balloons being inflated then deflated, inflated and deflated, for countless times, in the launching pad. I had been waiting patiently to see hot air balloons dominating the sky view but it remained clear all afternoon.

One of the hot air balloon flying high up

Then, something changed. Slowly, one by one, the balloons began to inflate and rise. The crowd too noticed it as the sound of cameras clicking rapidly surrounded me. As the hot air balloons slowly elevated itself up in the air, so too were the thousands of cameras that followed behind. My wish had finally came true.

These hot air balloons - many of them are in various shapes and sizes - are the main attraction here in the International Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival, the sixth edition coming next week, starting from 27th until 30th March 2014. An extravagant affair, this yearly event becomes hot property, one not to be missed.

Things to do in the fiesta besides the hot air balloons

The highlight of the day, besides seeing these hot air balloons taking up the sky, is the night glow, scheduled on Saturday night. These hot air balloons are transformed into light bulbs as the balloonists ignite their burners, creating a breath taking light show. Synchronized with pumping music, this is an experience worth waiting for.

Night glow

Info Box

6th International Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta,
Monumen Alaf Baru, Presint 2, Putrajaya.
The event begins at 7 a.m. onward. Hot air balloons freeflying shows are scheduled at 7.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. while night glow is scheduled at 9.00 p.m. on 29th March 2014.
There is no entrance fee. However, certain activities require tickets such as tethered hot air balloon rides and so on.
For more information, click here to visit the official website.